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Kentucky candidates trade barbs at Fancy Farm picnic, the state’s premier political event

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:39 GMT

FANCY FARM, Ky. (AP) — In front of a raucous crowd at Kentucky’s premier political event on Saturday, the Democratic incumbent governor talked about the state’s high-flying economy while his Republican challenger hammered away on social issues.Both sides stuck largely to scripts written in the early months of their general election showdown as they campaigned at the Fancy Farm picnic, traditionally seen as the jumping-off point for fall elections in Kentucky. This year, however, both Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron have been going at it for weeks, pounding away at many of the same notes they struck Saturday.Beshear declared Saturday that he’s led Kentucky’s economy on a “historic winning streak” worthy of a second term, while Cameron slammed the incumbent on social issues and said he was out of touch with Kentucky values.Political speaking is as much a tradition at the picnic as the barbecue. The crowd is divided be...

3-year-old filly injured in stakes race at Saratoga is euthanized and jockey gets thrown off

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:39 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) — Maple Leaf Mel was leading the field in the $500,000 Test at Saratoga when she sustained a catastrophic injury to her leg just before the finish line and was later euthanized on Saturday.Jockey Joel Rosario was unseated and went to a hospital in Albany for further evaluation and to have stitches for facial abrasions, according to the New York Racing Association.Trained by Melanie Giddings, Maple Leaf Mel was 5-0 in her career. She was owned by August Dawn Farm, which includes Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells. The filly was drawing away from the field when she injured her right front leg. On-site veterinarians tended to Maple Leaf Mel, but she was euthanized because of the severity of the injury, NYRA said.Maple Leaf Mel passed the required pre-race veterinary inspection, NYRA said.A required necropsy will be performed at Cornell University with the results to be analyzed by Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority officials, the New York ...

AileyCamp wrap up summer with performance by campers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:39 GMT

CHICAGO — AileyCamp just wrapped up another season in Chicago with a grand finale performance Saturday afternoon.With dances, drums and discovery, nearly 70 children spent the summer participating in AileyCamp at Saucedo Scholastic Academy in North Lawndale. The pride of Peru, Illinois: The Pistol Shrimp Camp director Lazette Rayford said the transformations were amazing with the kid trying new things making new friends and having a broader view of their abilities. "There's a whole community even beyond Chicago who really want to see them be great and succeed in their lives," Rayford said. The campers are learning everything from ballet to West African dance and Horton Modern dance technique, but the lessons are much more than movement. Nasha Thomas, the camp's national director said Alvin Ailey started the program to try to give young people something to do in the summer. The program now operates in ten cities across the country. "Self-esteem, decision making, critical thinking, ...

Dozens go Over the Edge for a good cause in Chicago

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:39 GMT

CHICAGO — Dozens of daredevils met Saturday in downtown Chicago to take a big leap off a tall building to raise money for a good cause.The day began on the ground floor of the Hyatt Regency for Over the Edge. ‘Asking for prayers’: Steve McMichael admitted to ICU amid ALS battle It's a fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Illinois. 80 people raised at least $1,500 before rappelling down the downtown hotel's west tower.Make-A-Wish has been granting the wishes of critically ill children nation-wide for more than four decades.It's making wishes of 710 Illinois children come true this year. Elizabeth Stotz rappelled for the first time in honor of her brother who was a Make-A-Wish kid. John Stotz suffered from DIPG, a type of brain tumor. He died in January at nine.The event helped raised more than $200,000.

How Illinois ranks in pay growth

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:39 GMT

ILLINOIS (WMBD) – What kind of pay change did Illinoisans see in the last year? The answer is pretty average, according to a recent report from private payroll firm ADP.To determine year-over-year annual pay growth across the country, ADP used salaries of nearly 10 million employees over the last 12 months, with the results listed in its National Employment Report.According to the latest data, Illinois ranked near the middle of the nation in terms of pay growth over the past year. In fact, the state tied for 23rd, sharing the spot with Michigan, Mississippi, and Rhode Island. While a four-way tie for 23rd doesn’t exactly stand out, it’s still nowhere near Delaware, which was ranked dead last in the 51st spot. (Since D.C. is included in the report, the overall ranking consisted of 51 states.)Annual pay growth in Illinois was 6.4% over the last year, according to the report. In addition to being above the national median of 6.2%, that percentage stands tall compared to neighborin...

Wells Fargo customers report missing deposits from bank accounts 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:39 GMT

(The Hill) — Wells Fargo customers are reporting the disappearance of direct deposits in their accounts.On X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, users complained about their disappearing funds. One bank customer said they saw the news about the problem right as they noticed their deposits weren’t in their account. Pilot lectures passengers in viral pre-flight speech: ‘He’s fed up with all these childish adults’ “Right before this popped up in the news I saw that my deposits weren't in my account,” their tweet read. “I was trying to pay bills and none would go through. This is so unacceptable.”The company responded in a statement to CNN that a “limited amount” of their customers are experiencing the disappearing deposits. They said most of them were “resolved” and that they would fix the problem soon.  Map: Does your drinking water contain ‘forever chemicals’? “We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience,” the bank’s statement reads.In recent years, Wells Fargo faced multip...

Officials responding to wildfire in Hays County, estimated at 100 acres and 0% contained

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:39 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Officials responded to a wildfire in Hays County Saturday, according to the Hays County Office of Emergency Services (HCOES) website.The wildfire, known as the Oak Grove/Fox Fire, was reported in the 200 block of Oak Grove Road in San Marcos. It is estimated at 100 acres and 0% contained shortly before 6:30 p.m., according to the Hays County Office of Emergency Management and the Texas A&M Forest Service. The fire jumped across the Blanco River and was actively burning on the north side, Texas A&M said. Aircraft will prioritize the area.According to Texas A&M, the fire was very active, and structures were threatened. Additional aircraft was ordered to assist. Approximately 12 households were evacuated shortly before 6 p.m.The Hays County Wildland task force responded to the fire. Air assets are also being deployed to drop water on the fire.Officials responded to a large outside fire, known as Fox Fire, in Hays Co...

ATCEMS responds to major crash in northwest Travis County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:39 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — On Saturday, the Austin-Travis County EMS responded to a major crash in northwest Travis County, the agency said on social media.Medics responded shortly after 5:30 p.m. to the 4200 block of North FM 620, near Mansfield Dam Ct., for a pediatric trauma alert. Additionally, ATCEMS said that Travis County STAR Flight also responded to the crash. Three ambulances and an incident commander were also on the scene.According to ATCEMS, three patients, two adults and a child, have been classified as trauma alerts. All three will be transported by STAR Flight -- the adults to St David's Medical Center in Round Rock, and the child to Dell Children's Medical Center.One other adult was also transported from the scene, and the last patient refused treatment.Drivers are urged to avoid the area and expect closures.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

State of Texas: 'The river is hurting.' Lawsuit claims buoy barrier damages Rio Grande

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:39 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Life on the river is not as it once was. As Jessie Fuentes sets his kayak free in the Rio Grande, he's struck by the abrupt entrapment of his favorite pastime — the river, once free-flowing and free for all to access, is now outfitted like the outer walls of a prison.The banks are bogged in mud, and the Carrizo cane was uprooted for concertina wire. Spools of tiny spikes are strewn with torn T-shirts, perhaps the only thing their one-time owners had on their backs before they surrendered to state troopers.Fuentes said it looked like Texas was fortifying for an army to invade."For me, it hurts," he said. "It can be beautiful. It used to be beautiful on both sides. Until Governor Abbott implemented his Operation Lone Star."Nexstar received special access to join Fuentes on a kayaking excursion down the river, which is now closed to the public as the state ramps up border security efforts under Operation Lone Star. The goal: reach the buoy barriers. Governor Greg Abb...

Kiszla: No more bad Buffs. Coach Deion Sanders puts college football world on notice: “We’re going to win.”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:17:39 GMT

BOULDER — If football was a war of words, Deion Sanders would be a hammer lock as coach of this and every year, because the CU Buffs might never lose a game.In the World According to Prime, the future’s so bright for the Buffs, he’s got to wear shades. Indoors. During the middle of the day. If there are unrealistic expectations for a team that finished with a record of 1-11 last season, it’s only because Sanders has whipped CU fans into a frenzy.“We’re going to win. We’re going to win. We’re going to win,” Sanders declared Friday. “I don’t know how to say it. I wish I could say it in several different languages, but we’re going to win.”That solid-gold whistle dangling from Coach Prime’s neck? It’s a fine piece of jewelry befitting a brash coach who tackled what appears to be a dead-end job at the University of Colorado, losers of 68% of its games since 2006, with the full intention of making everybody in this woebegone football program filthy rich.“Everybody’s chasing a bag,” ...